Return to work
November 15, 2013 Stringer LLP Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Notice, Damages and Settlements, Payroll
Most employers are likely familiar with the WSIB return to work process which often involves a WSIB employee attending at the workplace for the purpose of identifying suitable and sustainable work for the injured worker. In circumstances where there is a dispute about whether a position is suitable and/or available, the WSIB will examine the circumstances and make a written decision. The worker and the employer have the right to appeal an adverse decision initially to the WSIB Appeals Branch and ultimately to the independent Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal.
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September 27, 2013 Marcia Scheffler Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Training and Development
So your employee is off work again for the third time this year, you have no idea when they are coming back and their physician’s note is a vague cipher. It is not a work injury, so you know you don’t have to worry about WSIB, but it is a staffing issue for your organization and a serious concern. What should you do?
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August 13, 2013 Stringer LLP Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights
In a recent decision, General Motors of Canada Limited v. Johnson, the Ontario Court of Appeal provided clarity on an employee’s burden of proof when alleging constructive dismissal based on a poisoned work environment.
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July 2, 2013 Employer Advisor, McCarthy Tétrault LLP Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Privacy and Security, Union Relations
An employee’s right to ensure workplace safety versus an employee’s right to privacy – these competing rights have been present in the workplace for many years. On one hand, employers must be able to adopt policies to protect their workforce and abide by statutory health and safety obligations. On the other hand, employees expect that they will not be subject to intrusive policies that unreasonably infringe on their privacy expectations.
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May 22, 2013 Stringer LLP Employee Relations, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Human Rights, Notice, Damages and Settlements, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Wages and Compensation
In Thompson v. 1552754 Ontario Inc., the applicant was employed as a counter person at the respondent’s coffee shop. The applicant alleged discrimination based on disability when her employer refused to allow her to return to work after a three day absence. The employer would not allow the applicant to return to work without providing it with specific medical clearance that she had returned to her “prior state” of health.
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May 16, 2013 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Source Deductions and Reporting, Wages and Compensation
The three most viewed articles on HRinfodesk this week deal with differential treatment in the workplace, how an employee’s dishonesty and breach of confidentiality during a workplace investigation led to termination for cause and how a settlement was easily characterized as a retiring allowance.
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April 22, 2013 Clear Path Employer Services Health and Safety, Human Resources
Think workplace safety concerns only impact employees in traditional industries? Think again. Even well-known Hollywood stars can be impacted by a lack of due diligence in their workplaces. Here are some of the celebrities who have been involved in a serious workplace accident.
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April 16, 2013 Simon Heath, BA, MIR, LLB, Heath Law Accessibility Standards, Employee Relations, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Source Deductions and Reporting, Standard for Employment, Wages and Compensation
In the recent decision Fair and Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal provides a useful guide for employers to follow in determining how to return an employee to the workplace after an extended absence.
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January 4, 2013 Adam Gorley Employee Relations, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits
After 20 weeks of parental leave, I’m back in front of my computer, checking my email, catching up on workplace changes, putting together a schedule and generally getting back into the swing of things. Per the law, my employer has reinstated me to the same position I left (at the same wage), although with some accommodation to ease my transition, and I will no doubt be expected to perform up to my previous standard. I know I’ll need the help!
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September 6, 2012 Stuart Rudner, Rudner Law Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation
In recent years, employers seem to be struggling with “missing employees” that provide vague doctors’ notes and then disappear, assuming their job is safe. What can employers do? Do you have the right to ask for medical information? Can they dismiss the employee if they don’t provide proper justification for their absence?
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June 7, 2012 Adam Gorley Accessibility Standards, Conferences, Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Human Rights, Privacy and Security, Standard for Customer Service, Union Relations
You’ve probably already heard about the Ontario Employment Law Conference coming up on June 13—that’s next Wednesday!—but have you registered yet?
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May 9, 2012 Marcia Scheffler Health and Safety, Human Resources, Training and Development
Do you, like 98 percent of Ontario businesses, employ 100 or fewer employees? Then you should try SCIP-ing into spring with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s Safe Communities Incentive Program.
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May 4, 2012 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Employment/Labour Standards, Health and Safety, Human Resources
Workplace bully’s tirade amounts to constructive dismissal When a general manager at a health club felt repeatedly harassed by one of the owners, he claimed the company constructively dismissed him… (In PDF) MOL releases OHSA reprisal guidance for workers and employers The Ontario Ministry of Labour has released a guide for workers and employers […]
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February 3, 2012 Christina Catenacci Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights
The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal recently examined an application before it and an earlier statement of claim made in court by the same person, and concluded that the claims were virtually identical. They were based on the same facts, made the same allegations and sought similar remedies…
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December 1, 2011 Stuart Rudner, Rudner Law Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits
As more employees spend time on leaves of absence, employers seem to be struggling to understand their rights and obligations…
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Perhaps employers should focus on Health and Safety, Human Rights, Good Faith, and Investigations instead of looking for shortcuts or complex contracts to cover their... – Feb 04, 6:17 PM
Great article!! Should make a few employers more than a little nervous. With respect to managing the potential risks of hiring older employees, would the... – Feb 01, 2:01 PM
